OCCUPATIONAL TRENDS

These briefs identify articles of national significance from reliable sources that can be accessed for further information. NCDA does not guarantee these briefs. Members may submit briefs - click here for the Submission Form. For submission questions or for issues with links (such as needing direct links without a subscription), contact Charles Lehman charlesj.lehman@gmail.com

Blue Collar Worker Shortage

Workers are surprisingly harder to find for some manufacturing, construction and service occupations due to increase in education, rising labor-force-drop-out numbers, disinclination to do manual work and lower immigration. May result in higher pay and benefits and increased opportunities for women. ("Shortage of blue collar workers roiling US labor market", Bloomberg News Dec 16, 2018).

High School Dropouts Finding Work

Unemployment among high school dropouts fell to 5% in July, the lowest in over 25 years and well below the 15% in 2009. Many experts had been concerned about continuing poor prospects for this group. The strong recovery is leading to jobs in such areas as cashering, low level management, routine maintenance and warehouse occupations. ("Workers Hardest Hit by Recession Are Joining in Recovery" New York Times, August 3, 2018)

Hiring Requirements Loosened

Many employers are substantially reducing education and experience requirements due to the tight labor market for jobs in such fields as IT, education, mechanics, logistics, and store and lodging management. ("Help Wanted But Without a Degree", Wall Street Journal, July 30, 2018).

Using Space Technology in Medical Applications

In the past, NASA research has led to new developments in the areas of prosthetics, firefighter gear, and even baby food. Now the call is out for advances in the health care industry. The U.K. Space Agency launched a competition to reward designers who offer ideas for using space technology in medical applications. (Fast Company, July 16, 2018).

Suicide Crisis Affects Mental Health Workers

Front line workers facing America's suicide crisis face obstacles and their own personal reactions when dealing with those at risk or lost to the crisis. (New York Times, June 13, 2018)

Harassment in the Legal Profession

A recently updated manual on the topic of sexual harassment in the legal profession reminds everyone that sexual harassment is “a problem in every workplace, often one that employers are either not aware of or have not addressed appropriately" (ABA Journal, March 26, 2018)